Voters in Cannon Beach reject financing for school redevelopment
CANNON BEACH — Voters on Tuesday rejected bond financing for the redevelopment of a former elementary school in an advisory vote the city had agreed would be binding on the project.
The city had sought $7.8 million in bond financing to complete the $12.4 million blueprint to turn the former school property into a tourist-related cultural and community center.
The advisory vote, which was failing 59% to 41%, was part of a settlement to a legal challenge against $33.6 million in bond financing for a new City Hall and police station and the school project. Under the settlement, the financing for the City Hall and police station moved forward while the school project went before voters.
The city's infrastructure spending was a dominant theme in the election for two at-large positions on the City Council. City Councilor Nancy McCarthy and City Councilor Brandon Ogilvie reached the city's limit of two four-year terms, creating the open seats.
On Tuesday night, Erik Ostrander, who helps manage a motel, and Mike Bates, an author and former corporate attorney, were leading with 38% and 31% of the vote. Deanna Hammond, who owns a bakery, was trailing at 30%.
Ostrander, who lost a close race to Mayor Barb Knop in 2022, was critical of the price tag and scope of the infrastructure projects, particularly the redevelopment of the elementary school.
Hannah Buschert, Ostrander's wife, brought the legal challenge that led to the settlement.
"It came close in the mayoral election a couple of years ago," Ostrander said. "So I'm pretty excited that the voters still believe that I am the one to represent their voices on the City Council."
Ostrander said that, if elected, he would support the redevelopment of the school but at a lower cost and smaller scope.
"I'm looking forward to pressing those architects into providing those other options," he said. "That's the council's job, is to direct their contractors to do what they want."
Bates has voiced his support for the school redevelopment, describing the project as being in step with the city's comprehensive plan. He has said his top campaign priority is the protection of the environment, followed by a desire to ease the city's housing crisis.
Bates, who serves on the Planning Commission with Ostrander, said increasing density in residential areas, especially with middle housing and duplexes, would be a crucial step toward affordable and workforce housing.
"I want to thank everybody who voted for me or listened to me as I went out and canvassed," Bates said. "It was really a growing experience for me, to meet so many people in such a short period of time and understand all the different journeys that came together to create this place."
Hammond, who co-owns the Cannon Beach Bakery with her husband, lost a campaign for City Council in 2022. She is part of Cannon Beach Together, a political action committee that has fought the bond financing for the infrastructure projects.
Like Ostrander, she emphasized that she is not against the projects, but feels the price tag attached to the former elementary school redevelopment is too high.
